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Individual Differences And Neural Correlates Of Emotion Reactivity And Regulation: Potential Intervention Targets In Depression, Ian James Kahrilas
Individual Differences And Neural Correlates Of Emotion Reactivity And Regulation: Potential Intervention Targets In Depression, Ian James Kahrilas
Dissertations
Depression, Electroencephalography, Emotion reactivity, Emotion regulation
The Impact Of Peer Supportive Accountability On Use Of A Mindfulness App In Depressed College Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Carol Hundert Gonzales
The Impact Of Peer Supportive Accountability On Use Of A Mindfulness App In Depressed College Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Carol Hundert Gonzales
Dissertations
Depression, Mental Health App, Mindfulness, Supportive Accountability
Adherence To A Mindfulness App For College Students With Depression: Patterns, Predictors, And Outcomes, Brynn Marie Huguenel
Adherence To A Mindfulness App For College Students With Depression: Patterns, Predictors, And Outcomes, Brynn Marie Huguenel
Dissertations
National trends indicate that mental health concerns, particularly rates of depression, continue to rise on college campuses; however, treatment utilization remains low. Technology-based mental health interventions, such as mental health apps (MHapps), are a promising means of overcoming treatment barriers. MHapps are effective in improving psychological outcomes, but low rates of adherence are a noted limitation. The current study explored patterns of adherence to a MHapp, investigated the bidirectional relation between adherence and depression, and identified motivational predictors of adherence rates. Undergraduate students (N= 66) reporting clinically-elevated depressive symptoms completed a three-month trial using Headspace, a mindfulness MHapp. Patterns of …
Community Violence Exposure Among Ethnic Minority Youth: Understanding The Predictive Roles Of Depressive Symptoms And Risky Behavior In A Community Sample, Amanda Nicole Burnside
Community Violence Exposure Among Ethnic Minority Youth: Understanding The Predictive Roles Of Depressive Symptoms And Risky Behavior In A Community Sample, Amanda Nicole Burnside
Dissertations
Ethnic-minority youth residing in urban communities are disproportionately impacted by community violence exposure (ECV), and despite decades of research, rates of ECV in youth continue to increase. Further, person-based analyses have demonstrated variability in rates of ECV, even among youth who share similar risky demographic factors and it is important to examine the utility of psychological factors as predictors of ECV. Drawing from public health frameworks and the reciprocal-stress model, the current study seeks to better understand the longitudinal relationship between various components of depressive symptoms (depressed affect, somatic symptoms, depressive cognitions, suicidal thoughts and behaviors) in the prediction of …
Pediatric Providers' Perceptions Of Their Role In Early Detection Of Postpartum Depression, Laura Aime De La Pena
Pediatric Providers' Perceptions Of Their Role In Early Detection Of Postpartum Depression, Laura Aime De La Pena
Dissertations
The birth of a child is usually a happy occasion in a woman's life. It is also often a time of overwhelming anxiety, stress and hormonal changes. Postpartum depression (PPD) could occur during the first year of childbirth in approximately 10-20% of mothers (Waldrop, Ledford, Perry, & Beeber, 2017). PPD is the most common maternal health problem within the first year after childbirth (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2018). Recognition of mothers who are at risk for PPD allows health professionals to initiate care that can prevent further problems for the mother, infant, and the rest of their …
Behavioral Symptoms, Inflammation And Cortisol: Relationship To Cardiac Health And Quality Of Life In Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients, Deborah Anne Sindewald
Behavioral Symptoms, Inflammation And Cortisol: Relationship To Cardiac Health And Quality Of Life In Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients, Deborah Anne Sindewald
Dissertations
Background: The experience of a cardiac event is associated with psychological stress, which is often accompanied by depressive mood, fatigue and sleep disturbance (i.e., psycho-behavioral symptoms). To assist in recovery, cardiac patients can participate in a structured rehabilitation program, which provides monitored exercise and health education. There is limited knowledge, however, as to the extent to which cardiac rehabilitation reduces psycho-behavioral symptoms; nor is there knowledge of the association of these symptoms with stress-related biological mediators. Cortisol and inflammatory mediators (e.g., interleukin 6; IL-6) contribute to cardiovascular disease, and are also associated with greater stress perception, depressive mood, fatigue, and …
Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction In Patients With Depression: A Meta-Analysis Of Sexual Functioning Data Collected Via Prospective Questionnaire, Paula Jacobsen
Dissertations
Sexual functioning is associated with symptoms of depression, which occurs at rates much higher than that in the general population. Treatment of depression and remission of depressive symptoms can improve sexual functioning; however, antidepressants and other medications may cause or worsen sexual functioning. Assessment of sexual dysfunction in the past has predominantly relied on the patient spontaneously reporting problems with sexual functioning to their physician or other medical professional. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, patient reporting is typically low and does not reflect the actual prevalence of sexual dysfunction. This research assessed the rate and level of …
Becoming Adults: Trajectories Of Adult Identity Development Among Undergraduate Students With Implications For Mental Health, Jenna Shapiro
Becoming Adults: Trajectories Of Adult Identity Development Among Undergraduate Students With Implications For Mental Health, Jenna Shapiro
Master's Theses
One of the defining developmental processes that occur during the unique stage of emerging adulthood is the emergence of adult identity, or the subjective sense of adulthood. Adult identity has been hypothesized to grow gradually, linearly, and at different rates for subgroups of individuals over the course of this stage (Arnett, 2006; Côté, 2006). Differences have also been suggested to predict wellbeing and distress (Côté, 2006; Kroger, 1996; Kroger, Martinussen, & Marcia, 2010). The goals of the current study were to examine heterogeneity in adult identity development over four years in college and to examine differences in self-esteem and negative …
Cognitive And Neural Correlates Of Coping And Resilience In Depression, Catherine Lee
Cognitive And Neural Correlates Of Coping And Resilience In Depression, Catherine Lee
Dissertations
Depression is one of the most prevalent and devastating psychological disorders, often with a chronic or remitting/reoccurring course. The inability to effectively cope with stress and negative life events has been strongly linked to the development and maintenance of depression symptoms; yet, the cognitive and biological processes underlying the complex and multidimensional behavioral construct of coping are not well understood. Using a combination of self-report measures, computerized cognitive tasks, and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) methodologies, the present study investigated associations between specific executive function abilities (i.e., inhibition and set-shifting), underlying neural activity, coping strategy and flexibility, and depression symptoms. Results did …
Expectations And Quality Of Life During The Antepartum And Postpartum Period, Mary Kathryn Adams
Expectations And Quality Of Life During The Antepartum And Postpartum Period, Mary Kathryn Adams
Dissertations
During pregnancy, women frequently anticipate birth and motherhood with unrealistic images and expectations which are formed by personal experience and society’s portrayal of motherhood (e.g., books and movies). How these expectations impact the postpartum period for women has not been well studied. However, research has identified a link between maternal expectations, reality, and negative emotional responses. When expectations are met, the experience of motherhood may be a positive one. However, when these expectations are not met, the potential for negative emotional responses may be greater. The postpartum period is a significant period of adjustment, and depression occurs in about 13%–19% …
Down And Out: College Students Experiencing Depressive Symptoms, Jenna Eileen Ofenloch
Down And Out: College Students Experiencing Depressive Symptoms, Jenna Eileen Ofenloch
Master's Theses
Survey research that asks respondents to report on depression often ask
respondents whether they have been diagnosed with depression by a medical
professional. But such questions underestimate depression by leaving out respondents
who are unable or unwilling to seek professional help. Thus, other studies seek to ask
respondents to report symptoms of various dimensions of depression. This is especially
important because, according to the CDC, “persons with mild depressive symptoms, as
well as those with moderate or severe depressive symptoms, reported difficulties with
work, home, and social activities related to their symptoms”. But some groups are more
prone to depression. …
Cortical And Psychological Mechanisms Of Visceral Pain, Kelly L. Polnaszek
Cortical And Psychological Mechanisms Of Visceral Pain, Kelly L. Polnaszek
Master's Theses
Objective: Dysmenorrhea is an incapacitating type of visceral pain that affects numerous menstruating women and is defined by painful menstrual cramps and often occurs in the absence of pelvic pathology. Women with dysmenorrhea have reported higher sensitivity to experimental pain, and vulnerability to pain sensitivity may be a primary risk factor for developing chronic pelvic pain for women with dysmenorrhea. Cross-organ sensitization (COS), or the theory that uterine inflammation during menstruation can contribute to chronic pelvic pain by generating neurogenic inflammation in other organs, may be a primary mechanism associated with pelvic pain in women with dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea sufferers with …
Migratory Loss And Depression Among Adult Immigrants Of Chinese Descent, Christine Chih-Ting Chang
Migratory Loss And Depression Among Adult Immigrants Of Chinese Descent, Christine Chih-Ting Chang
Dissertations
The immigration process does not only include the life after relocating to a new environment and settling down in the host society but also includes separation from the life before their departure and the negotiation between redeeming and closing their losses. This study was the first attempt to investigate migratory loss among adult immigrants of Chinese descent. The study developed the Migratory Loss Scale and examined the moderation effect of acculturation as well as the moderation effect of the presence of immigration-related meaning on the relationship between migratory loss and depression. The study also examined the mediation effect of the …
Investigating The Role Of Cognitive Biases As A Risk Factor For Depression, Daniel Aaron Dickson
Investigating The Role Of Cognitive Biases As A Risk Factor For Depression, Daniel Aaron Dickson
Dissertations
Consistent with the combined cognitive bias hypothesis (Hirsch, Clark, & Mathews, 2006), cognitive biases in attention, memory, and interpretation have been posited as an underlying vulnerability to the maintenance and recurrence of depressive episodes. While research supports the presence of these biases during current depressive episodes, there is limited evidence that these biases persist following the remission of depression symptoms. However, there is some initial data that suggest that these biases persist in remitted depressed individuals, indicating that these biases may serve as a vulnerability factor for subsequent depressive episodes. In addition, there is little research that has evaluated these …
Risk Perception In Cardiovascular Disease, Michelle Ellen Block
Risk Perception In Cardiovascular Disease, Michelle Ellen Block
Dissertations
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains among the leading causes of death in the United States despite widespread knowledge about risk factors as well as effective primary prevention strategies. Risk perception is a complex phenomenon that plays an important role in how persons view disease and ultimately how they make health behavior choices. This study is supported by the knowledge that few studies have examined how persons perceive cardiovascular risk or the variables thought to contribute to the formation of risk perception.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how accurately persons perceive personal risk for cardiovascular disease and identify …
The Role Of Self-Esteem, Perceived Social Support, And Coping Strategy In The Escalation Of Depressive Symptomatology During The First Year Of College, Catherine Lee
Master's Theses
The first year of college is a significant life transition that can be a particularly stressful experience, which may lead to the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms. Due to the considerable negative outcomes that are associated with depressive symptoms across the lifespan, it is important to understand the mechanisms and pathways through which such symptoms arise. This prospective study examines how self-esteem, perceived social support, and coping strategies are associated with the development of depressive symptoms during the transition to college. The findings of this longitudinal study indicate that self-esteem may affect both perceived social support and disengagement coping …
Stereotypes And Patient-Provider Communication: Testing The Effects Of Depression, Socioeconomic Status, And Race, Amy N. Kerr
Stereotypes And Patient-Provider Communication: Testing The Effects Of Depression, Socioeconomic Status, And Race, Amy N. Kerr
Dissertations
The current project included a pilot and primary study with experimental designs to explore the impact that a patient's race, mental health and socioeconomic status (SES) have on impression formation, affective reactions, and communication with patients. The
medical literature shows that health disparities exist for minorities and individuals with low socioeconomic statuses (Adler & Ostrove, 1999). In addition individuals with severe mental illness receive low quality care for their physical health in comparison to those presenting only a physical illness (Lawrence & Kisely, 2010).
To explore this phenomenon, pilot study participants read one of eight descriptions of a man visiting …
Gender Differences In Depressive Symptoms: The Interaction Of Cognitive Avoidance Coping And Specific Stressor Domains During Freshmen Adaptation To College, Daniel Dickson
Master's Theses
The first year of college can be a stressful experience that can lead to depressive symptoms in emerging adults. Due to the significant impairments that are associated with depressive symptoms across the lifespan, it is important to understand the elements of the first-year college experience that contribute to depressive affect. The goals of the current prospective study are to examine sex differences in the relationship between life stressors (i.e., social and achievement stressors) and cognitive avoidance coping in the development of depressive symptoms in first-year college students. The findings suggest that although cognitive avoidance is predictive of more depression, there …
The Impact Of Treating Major Depression During Pregnancy On The Postpartum Phase, Jamie Kent
The Impact Of Treating Major Depression During Pregnancy On The Postpartum Phase, Jamie Kent
Dissertations
Major depression during pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD). Medically acceptable treatments for depression during pregnancy and postpartum are limited and many women are turning to complementary and alternative treatments. The current project examined whether treatment of major depression during pregnancy reduced the risk for PPD and explored predictors of PPD in this high-risk sample. One hundred twenty women were clinically assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD17), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) at ten weeks, six months, and nine months postpartum following random assignment to one …
Depression In Freshmen College Students, Julie Marie Brandy
Depression In Freshmen College Students, Julie Marie Brandy
Dissertations
Adjustment to college life and attending a university for the first time can be a stressful experience for college students. Because of the challenges faced when adapting to these life changes, college students are at risk of developing depressive symptomology. The development of depressive symptoms can lead to negative life events in the lives of college students, the most significant of which is suicide. This study examined whether stress and other factors (social support and spirituality) predicted depressive symptoms and high risk behaviors in college freshmen students. In addition, the mediating role of coping on the relationship between stress and …
Gestational Diabetes, Depression, And The Impact On Maternal Child Health Outcomes, Mary Alice Byrn
Gestational Diabetes, Depression, And The Impact On Maternal Child Health Outcomes, Mary Alice Byrn
Dissertations
Antenatal depression occurs in about 20% of all pregnancies and gestational diabetes occurs in up to 14% of all pregnancies. Although there is sufficient information on (1) depression during pregnancy and (2) depression and diabetes, there is little information about depression and gestational diabetes. This comparative, longitudinal research study was done to better understand the relationship between gestational diabetes and depression. The study aims were the following: (1) to determine whether women with gestational diabetes had more depression than women without gestational diabetes, (2) to determine whether factors predictive of depression in pregnant women with gestational diabetes were different from …
Depressive Symptoms In Women Being Screened For Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Suzanne Marie Savoy
Depressive Symptoms In Women Being Screened For Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Suzanne Marie Savoy
Dissertations
Background: Depressive symptomology is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Over 15% of persons with cardiovascular disease have depressive symptoms, and women are twice as likely to experience these symptoms as men. Depressive symptoms in women “ at risk ” for cardiovascular disease has not been well studied.
Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, heart disease risk awareness, cardiac risk, and quality of life in women at risk for cardiovascular disease. Whether the effect of depressive symptoms on quality of life was mediated by cardiac risk and/or health-promoting lifestyle behaviors was also examined. …
Neuropsychological Assessment Of Executive Functioning And Its Association With Depressive Symptomology, Erica Jean Kalkut
Neuropsychological Assessment Of Executive Functioning And Its Association With Depressive Symptomology, Erica Jean Kalkut
Dissertations
The current study explored the construct of executive functioning and neuropsychological measurement techniques used to assess executive functioning (EF). Two current comprehensive measures of executive functioning include the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS). The BRIEF-A is a self-report questionnaire that reportedly assesses behaviors associated with EF, and the D-KEFS is a battery of tests that are objectively administered by a trained examiner to directly measure different manifestations of EF ability. This study examined the relationship between gender and general intellectual ability on EF and investigated each measure's construct validity in …
Do Family Dynamics Mediate The Relationshp Between Early Pubertal Development And Depression For Girls With And Without Spina Bifida?, Rachel Wasserman
Do Family Dynamics Mediate The Relationshp Between Early Pubertal Development And Depression For Girls With And Without Spina Bifida?, Rachel Wasserman
Master's Theses
Girls who experience premature puberty have higher levels of depressive symptoms than their peers (Rierdan & Koff, 1991; Hayward et al., 1997). However, girls with spina bifida (SB) experience different psychosocial changes during puberty. This study proposed two longitudinal, mediated moderation models to investigate whether family variables (i.e., parent-child conflict and emotional distancing) contributed to differences in the connection between early pubertal timing and depressive symptoms for girls with and without SB. 62 families (31 SB, 31typically developing) were recruited for a larger longitudinal study. Constructs were assessed subjectively and objectively with the use of questionnaire and observational data. Findings …